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'Ere we go again. Six months after Amiga Kick Off comes the C64 version. As before, you can play against the computer or another player in a friendly match, or alternatively up to eight teams (human or computer-controlled) can compete in the international league. There are also options to practise skills and penalties, as well as changing the length of matches (from 5 mins per half to 45!).

The most obvious difference between this and the Amiga game becomes apparent as soon as you start a match. Instead of playing up and down, the teams play left and right with the pitch scrolling to follow the action. Other changes include the inability to stop and pass, and the omission of the 'radar' screen.

The playability of the Amiga game won the day but on the C64 it just doesn't get started.

Technically, it's pretty appalling: sound effects are weak while the graphics suffer from ropey animation and the glaring presence of sprite flicker.

I thought the Amiga game was riddle with [unimportant - Ed] bugs but the C64 version has even more *and* a heavy dose of unplayability.

To my mind, MicroProse Soccer wipes the floor with this.

As far as I'm concerned the only similarities between this and Amiga Kick Off are the play options and the name!

Otherwise it's a completely different game and an inferior one at that. The change to a horizontal pitch wouldn't have mattered if the gameplay hadn't been spoilt by the inability to pass properly.

This omission reduces play to blasting the ball up the field and running after it. For me, this simply *isn't* Kick Off.

Presentation 82%
All the options of the Amiga game.

Graphics 42%
Flickery, slow-moving sprites.

Sound 31%
No tunes, sparse effects.

Hookability 34%
Frustrating and too little skill involved.

Lastability 40%
Good league option, but basic game flawed.

Overall 37%
An inferior C64 footy game.